25/05/2025
OPINION | Political Own Goals Are Never Disallowed: Has Dr. Bol Mel Scored Against SPLM-IG?
By Ustaz. Makur Mading Apuolngol
In football, when a defender accidentally scores into their own net, the referee doesn’t disallow the goal. It counts, and it hurts. Politics operates under a similar principle. When a political player makes a move that undermines their own team, that mistake is not erased, it becomes part of the public record. Today, South Sudanese politics may be witnessing just such a moment: an own goal, seemingly assisted by none other than Dr. Bol Mel, and scored squarely against the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–In Government (SPLM-IG).
Dr. Bol Mel, a towering figure in South Sudan’s economic and political landscape, is no stranger to influence. But in recent months, his maneuvers, whether political statements, backdoor alignments, or positioning in public discourse, have raised eyebrows. Rather than fortifying the ruling party’s image in the run-up to the 2024–2025 elections, his actions appear to have exposed internal rifts and weakened the SPLM-IG’s grip on the narrative.
Cracks in the Wall
South Sudan is preparing for what could be the country’s first real multi-party elections. At such a crucial juncture, unity, clarity, and discipline within any major political force are not just desirable—they are essential. Unfortunately for SPLM-IG, the growing perception is that the party is becoming a house divided. The symbolism of Bol Mel—a man deeply connected to the regime—drifting into political ambiguity or rivalry cannot be overstated. It signals discontent, disorganization, or perhaps the early signs of elite fragmentation.
Whether intentional or not, Bol Mel's recent undertones and posture suggest an emerging third force—or at least a figure willing to position himself as an alternative within or outside the current structure. In doing so, he may be pulling public and political attention away from SPLM-IG’s achievements and goals, and toward speculation, suspicion, and uncertainty. That’s a classic own goal.
The Cost of Distraction
When ruling parties lose focus—when power struggles overshadow national service—the public always pays the price. South Sudanese citizens are not asking for elite squabbles; they are demanding peace dividends, reliable services, youth employment, and lasting reforms. Every time internal actors within SPLM-IG shift their energy toward intra-party contests or ambition-driven plays, they alienate the people they claim to represent.
And worse still, they give the opposition room to maneuver. Political rivals like SPLM-IO, SSUF, or newly emerging independent platforms can now capitalize on the SPLM-IG’s apparent internal discord, painting the ruling party as divided and out of touch.
Can SPLM-IG Regroup?
It is not too late to close ranks, restore discipline, and clarify leadership direction. The SPLM-IG cannot afford to bleed support heading into an election cycle that may define the next generation of South Sudanese politics. Unity and strategic messaging must be restored at the top. And if Dr. Bol Mel intends to carve his own path, let it be clear, transparent, and outside of the ambiguity that fuels speculation and suspicion.
Final Thought
In football, own goals don’t just hurt they often decide the outcome. In politics, the same rule applies. If the SPLM-IG continues to allow internal missteps to go unchallenged, it may find itself outpaced not by external enemies, but by its own internal contradictions.
History will remember who kept their eyes on the ball and who didn’t.
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Published by: any Media House
